Unlike the previous sodas we had tried, which were pulled from the National Version of the Jones Holiday Pack, Smoked Salmon Paté Soda called the Regional Version of the Holiday Pack its home!

Regional Version of the Holiday Pack

This version of the Holiday Pack was harder to find, as it was only available in select stores around the country. Thankfully, Amy and I were able to find a box at a Cost Plus World Market in Indianapolis, IN, over Thanksgiving. The sales of this version of the Holiday Pack benefit Toys for Tots. It also includes more interesting flavors than the mainstream National Version (such as Smoked Salmon Paté Soda). Unfortunately, while it does contain a fork and wet nap like the National Version, it does not contain a recommended wine list. Oh well.

Check out that crazy Santa!

The label for this vile beverage contains a photo of some sort of drunk Santa in the woods. I can’t quite make out what is printed on his shirt. Frankly, I don’t think it matters. The guy looks absolutely nuts. The color of the drink is an orange-red, probably more on the orange side. Not quite the same color as other popular orange drinks like Fanta Orange, Mountain Dew LiveWire, Orange Crush, or Orange Slice. This was more of a radiant orange. It was a fishy orange.

How would you describe this orange?

So, how did this drink taste? Well, this one was pretty bad. Probably not as bad as Turkey & Gravy, but I’d put it at #2 bad so far. My gag reflex almost kicked in here. I think it was the smell, combined with the 230mg of salt, the fact that I’d never eat salmon paté in real life, and the goofy color. All these factors pretty much played into the disgusting experience. It had a bitter, vinegary texture. Not a great aftertaste going down either. It must have been the “Glucono Delta Lactone” that did the trick there (the #3 ingredient). In any case, bad bad drink. But don’t take my word for it. Here’s how it treated some others:

Dan’s palette is pretty much destroyed

Either she’s going to sneeze or Diane wasn’t a big fan

Dick… he liked the fact that it was sugar free

Overall, if you wanted a bad tasting drink to showcase the Jones Holiday Pack Regional Version, Smoked Salmon Paté Soda would do the drink nicely!